Ingredients:

  • 1 pound (450g) fresh asparagus
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon (3g) kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1g) freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh lemon juice or 1 tablespoon (15g) unsalted butter

Instructions:

  1. Snap off the tough ends of the asparagus spears. Rinse the spears under cold water.
  2. Fill the pot with about 1 inch (2.5cm) of water. Bring the water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Place the steamer basket or colander inside the pot, ensuring it doesn't touch the water.
  3. Arrange the asparagus spears in a single layer in the steamer basket. Cover the pot with a lid.
  4. Steam the asparagus for 5-7 minutes, or until it's bright green and tender-crisp. Start checking for doneness around 5 minutes.
  5. Remove the asparagus from the steamer basket with tongs and transfer it to a serving plate. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss gently to coat. If desired, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the asparagus or melt a knob of butter on top. Serve immediately.